There's something about the colder months that makes one crave a heavier cocktail. And by heavier, I mean something more substantial in taste and flavor, especially spicier and sweeter. Here's a few cold weather, winter cocktails we thought we'd share with you this season. Salut!

Holiday Cocktails For Colder Weather

Mulled Wine

Typically, there's no specific recipe for making mulled wine. Commonly, a combo of spices is added to a simple syrup before adding red wine. Btdubs, I've seen variations of this recipe using fruity wines as well as deeper reds, so it's all up to you and your taste buds. For us, we went with a Cab. It's all heated through and served in (16 oz.) glasses (we prefer stemless), and garnished with orange slices and cinnamon sticks. YUM.

1 bottle Cabernet Savignon
1/2 c. white sugar
1 c. apple juice
1 fresh orange, juiced
1 fresh orange, sliced
Small knob of fresh ginger, sliced
Peppercorns
Cardamon pods
Cloves
2-3 cinnamon sticks

Add all of the spices (last 5 ingredients listed) to a medium stock pot. Pour in the sugar, apple and orange juices, and heat over medium heat until the sugar is melted and a simple syrup forms. Pour in the bottle of wine and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat and cover, allowing the wine to infuse for about 15 minutes. Using a wire mesh strainer, pour wine into glasses garnished with orange slices and additional cinnamon sticks.

Spiced Sangria

This sangria is similar to mulled wine, but different. It's got the same spicy flavor as it's warmed-up cousin, but it's lighter in taste thanks to the addition of club soda. It's also chilled and served with bits of fruit like a traditional sangria. We prefer making this with a fruitier wine, such as beaujolais. It's so delish!

1 bottle fruity red wine (750 ml)
1/2 c. light rum
1/4 c. triple sec
1 1/2 c. club soda
1 c. water
1/2 c. white sugar
1 orange, skin on & diced
1 lime, skin on & diced
1 granny smith apple, skin on and diced (or sliced, your call)
1 barlett pear, skin on and diced (again, sliced if you prefer)
Small knob of fresh ginger, sliced
Cardamon pods
Peppercorns
Cloves
2-3 cinnamon sticks

In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water with the spices (the last 5 ingredients). Heat over medium heat until the sugar is melted and a simple syrup forms. Remove from heat.

Pour syrup over a mesh strainer and into a 2 quart pitcher, discard spices. Add the wine, rum, triple sec and club soda to the pitcher. Add the fruit, and stir well to combine.

Refrigerate for 2-4 hours, preferably overnight, to let flavors infuse. Pour into stemless wineglasses or low balls. You can even rim your glasses with a bit of lime juice and coarse confectioner's sugar, if you'd like!

Cranberry-Rosemary Cocktails

This light and delicious cocktail is an all star during the holiday season, and the rosemary-infused simple syrup adds a bit of"je ne sais quoi" that definitely ups the flavor combo.

The recipe below is per drink, but the simple syrup recipe is enough for four.

Simple Syrup:
1 c. water
1 c. sugar
4-5 rosemary sprigs
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Cocktail:
5.5 oz can of cranberry juice cocktail
1 oz. cranberry vodka
1/4 c. seltzer water
Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Create the simple syrup by pouring all 3 ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the simple syrup forms. Carefully remove rosemary stems.

Add ice to 4 lowball glasses. Pour the simple syrup equally into the glasses, followed by the cranberry juice, vodka and selter water. Stir gently, and garnish with rosemary. You can even add fresh cranberries for garnish, if you'd like.

We're always on the hunt for new cocktails and other adult beverages. What are some of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!

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